Loading machine



E. c. MORGAN 'LOADING MACHINE .'June 3, 1930.

original Filed Jan. ze, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 3, 1930.

E. c.l MORGAN LOADING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 26, 1925 June 3, 1930. E. c. MORGAN LOADING MACHINE orlglnal Filed Jan. 26A, 1925 3 Asheets-s119611; '3

Patented June 3, 1930 unirsi) STATE-Qs. PATENro-.Frics nini/rinvii o; MORGAN', 'DEcEAsEn LATE or4 NEWIYORK, n- Y., Br? OLIVE EUGENIE 'ii/:oit-V GAN, EXEGUTRIX, or ironia, iv. Y.

LOADING MACHINE Application lediJanuary, i925,` Serial No. 45768@ RnewedvAugu'st 26,` 1929.v

This invention relate-sito loading machines and one of the objects thereof is the provision of improved and efficient apparatus. of this type. lThe present applicationis afcon'tinu ation in part ofthe copending application of said Edmund C. 'Morgam Serial No.'-

gathering dislodged material from the mine.. floor byy an arcuate sweep across the same,

. loadl the dislodgedy ymaterial vinto a deep of returning the parts including the receive. "ing for gathering conveyer to initial position hopper from which such material lmay @be loaded in various directions intoinine cars.

f Other objects of the linvention will appear liereinafter, tlienovel` combinationsV andv features being. set.4 forth in 'thel appended claims.

Referring to .the `accompianying `drz'ifvviiigs1 l Fig. l is a plan View of the'loading. machine mineloor but also to assist the roof jacks 34:V

combined with mining mechanism.

Fig. 2 .isan elevational View of theV coin- Vbined miningvv andloading machine With a. portion of. the kerf cutting Vmechanism in.k eluded to show its relation to .the other parts;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged 4elevationalA view,v partly in sectionof the coalsplitting mechay Tand 2,.l A Wheel 37 screw vthreaded .Ourthe nisin shown at theright hand portion of Fig. 2, and also of the mechanismv for swinging the .gathering coiiveyer,;rA

Fig. 4l is an enlarged ViewV` partlyinjsection, of the right hand portion. of'Fig. 2,..v

41 the lloiver side of the hopper 42. This -hopper is provided With a rearward .eXten- -sion 4:3. Ali endless conveyer la is mounted but looking on `the left toward ythe right;

Fig. 5 is a sectionaldetail view ofthe three-,i

vWay valves particularly adapted for yuse. in the control system of piessure pipes shown in Figs-1 and 2;

Fig. 6 isfa sectional ,elevation of thev fOr-.- Ward swinging c onveyer and .of the inechanisrn fordeliveifig coal tosaidconveyers; v Y shown Fig. 7 is a plan view, of the structure in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is .a plan View 0f modified Arile-Jehanisin for swinging the coal splitting mecha?. nism with sufficient force to operate the lat-r ter, such swinging mechanism' being .capable and therefore serving as a substitute for the one-.Way swinging mechanism of Figs. l and 2. and ofthe Walking "fluid pressurejack mechanism of Figs. l and 2'; and

Fig. 9 is an elevationalvievi7 of the structure shown in Fig. 8 and shows aA plurality of ropes for moving the coal splitting tools in dislodging direction together with the gath ering coiiveyer anda single rope for returning'the coal split-ting toolstogether with the gathering conveverto initial position.

Referring to F igsfl and 2 it Willbe seen f that the main frame 28 ismounted on tractor mechanism.- comprising endless tractor belts 29 and 3.0 for transporting` themining and loading machine Aoverthe `mine floor 3lin admechanism operatively lconnectedv to theY motor 33 so as to distributev the Weight of the mining and loading machineover awider area n ot. only to .facilitate transportation -of the mining and loading machine ,ovei1Y` the AVance, of the track 32. I prefer to use tractor .pivotally connected to .the yupper side porf tions ofthe frame 28 as jshownin Figs. `1`

rod 38 may be relied vupon to. thrust 'the upper end of said .-rod against theJ Yroof 39.

At thelower .portion yof the. frame 28is `a to extend from the 'bottom of the hopper 42 to ltliefouter open end-'45 .of the horizontal chute 4 3, Thisconveyer 44;. may be .fopen ated by means ofthe motor 46,

.Connected to the upper rear vportion vof the frame28 is a horizontal Ufshapedextension 4:7 at the center ,ofwvliich yas indicated zit-i8 iiF-gsl and 2 iS pvoted the arm L9 Arearward extension 40 to which is pivoted at.k

which is 'll-shaped andconnected zit-5.0, 5 0 to the hopper 42' and chiite 43. Itwll thus.

be seenthat the".pivotalconiiectioils 4l vand 48 arein Vertical alnenient and Ypermit the hopper i2 and the chute 43 and the-conveyer the .hopper 42 is comparatively large vand Y deep with its bottom closed so that it may act temporarily as a storage hopper while the conveyer 52 continues to deliver material to such hopper and the conveyor 44 is out of operation during the removal of a loaded` mine car and the bringing up of an empty mine car;

' Mounted on the forward end of the frame 28 is a supplemental frame 54 provided with a ring surrounding the lower portion of the hopper 53 and having an annular bearing connection with the frame 28 so as to support the supplemental frame 54 for swinging movementsl laterally on an upright axis approximately at theV center ot' the hopper 53. Mounted on the frame 54 and extending radially relative to the upright axis 56 of swinging movement of the frame 54 is a receiving endless conveyor 57 operated by a motor 58. 1t should be noted that the con# veyor 57 swings with the supplemental frame 54 on Vthe axis 56 andv is therefore in delivery communication with thev hopper through a` range of approximately 180 degrecs. i

On the frame 54 back of the receiving conveyo-r 57 are mounted a plurality or coal dislodging tools. Tool holders 60 and 61 are provided respectively adjacentto iloorand roof of the mine chamber. T he tool holder 60 carries the spaced-apart dislodging tools 62 and 63. The tool holder 61 carries similar" coal dislodging tools 64 and 65. rlhe upper side of the tool holder 61 carries a coal dis` holders 60'and 61 as by means of set screwsv as illustrated at 68 inFin. 1. lt will thus be seen that the tools 62, 63, 64 and 65 constitute spaced-apart fingers in'approximate vertical kalinement movable with Jframe 54 along arcuate paths of travel on the upright axis 56 to tear asunder orY dislodge the coal, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The fingers 62 and 63 are rigidly connected to the frame 54 and move bodily therewith when the latter is ,wung on the upright axis 56.

rEhe-tool holder 61 is connected to an auxiliary frame 69 to which are rigidly connected lthe downwardly extending piston rods 70 and 71 extending through the bearing boxes 72 and 73 to the pistons in the vertical cylnasales inders in the frame 54. Ry means or" this mechanism the lingers 64 and 65 may be adjusted in elevation together with the finger 66 and at the same time the tool holder 61 may be rigidly connected to the frame 54 so as to move bodily therewith, particularly when the pistons together with the piston rods 70 and 7l are located a comparatively wide distance apart.

Inasmuch as the trame 54 is so mounted on the frame 28 as to always occupy'a position spaced a short'distance from the mine i'ioor the ingers 62 and 63 will always remain approximately at their adjusted elevations. It should be understood, however, that the iinger 62 may have any desired spacing and may initially be located at varying elevations. In low root mine chambers the tool holder 61 together with the parts connected thereto including the piston rods 70 and 71 may be entirely omitted and the fingers on the frame 54 relied upon to dislodge the material, particularly when the upper 4finger isV located atan elevation approximately that of the chute 43.

Furthermore, the fingers 62 and 63 maybe slightly adjusted in elevation by a floor jack which comprises a piston movable in the cylinder to force the plunger 81 against the floor 31. A similar jack 82 is shown on the tool holder 61 for thrusting the plunger 83 against the roof 84. The primary function of the jacks, however, is to guide the tool holders 60 and 61, respectively, along the floor and roof of the mine chamber so as to hold the dislodging tools 62, 63, 64 and 65 at predetermined distances from the loor and roof.

1n order to exert considerable pressure back ofthe tool holders 60 and 61, I have provided a. pair of walking roof jacks 99 and 100. The "roof jack 99 comprises a cylinder 101 for receiving a plunger at the upper end of which is a roof plate 103. Likewise the root jack 100 comprises a cylinder 104 for receivnga plunger'at the upper end of which is the roof plate 106. 1

At the lower portions of the cylinders are vannular bearings 107 and 108 for receiving the rings or collars 109 and 110 which are connected to the piston rods 111. The latter are connected to pistons in the cylinders pivotally connected tothe tool holder 60, horizontal slots being provided in the tool holder 60 to permit lateral swinging move-- ments of the fluid pressure motors comprising the cylinders 115 and V116 when such Huid pressure motors are operated to' move the dislod'ging tools 62 and 63 into unmined mass. t i

Surrounding the plungers so that the latter will be freely slidable therethrough are the rings or collars 119 and 120 which are connected by the piston rods 121 and 122 ot the pistons 123v and 124 in the cylinders 125 pressure medium such fluid pressure motors are operated toV Vactuele the uislodguig tools'64 und 65.

lt should be understood that the horizontal fluid pressuremotors 115, 1'161aiid 125,126

, :ire also relied upon to valternatelymove they roof jacksv 99 und 100 iiorvvzirdly to new roof propping positions Where suoli roof jacks will ulteriietelyL ect is enchoreges for the fluid pressure motors when acting to thrust forward the dislodging tools, particularly those designated 62, 63,' 64A end" 65. Each of the fluid pressure motors may be controlled Y by u set of manually operate-d vulves.

By referring L.-o'lfig. 2 it will be seenthut U the supply pipe 1536 isy Connected to a manifold 145 und e valve 146 isprovided in the pipe 136 to control. the How' of the pressure mediumV to the tluid pressure motor. In a similar menne-r the pipe 139 is connected to the manifold 145 end provided With :i controlling valve 147. j

The cylinder et the root jack 99 is connected by zr pipe 148 to "'-lie manifold 145 and this pipe is provided with a controlling n un exhaust coi'inection being indicated t 150.

i' 'ie valve 149 is opened the 'l`lierei"'ore, when ing through the .pipe 148 into the cylinder willv force the pluiie'er`102 into root engaging. position to anchor'the root joel; 99. f lilflien the vslve 149 is opened to the exhaust 150 the plu1iger'102 `Will slide through the rino" or coller 119' rind thus release the plate 103' .troni the root'. When the roei' juclr 99 is in releasedL position und the pistons 113 sind 'iro moved to the right, es viewed in Fig, 4, the seid root )zich 99 is moved forward to u new position whereupon .ted to move` the valve 149`is ai; .n monipu 'he plunger to silencing posiiioii. linmedistely moved forward undx'ziguiii anchored thereof juclr 10@ is released by openingthe valve 151 to exhaust 1512 so that the pressure in the cylinder 104 Will-be relieved und peiiiiit ,the pl ringer 105 to descend. As soon is this occurs tho lovers are] moved toward' the leitt so to connect'theclianibers tothe exhausts und Li unect the supply pipes .13'6'end obers et thejler't'or the gisj Ccli 99 anchored :it time the 'tool holding frames GleiidGO c moved forward to cause the lingersY l 64 and ('35 'to penetrate the material at "eyer 44 to the mine cai 51,

valve 149,

ritter the roof jack 99 has been thus' it arcuate mine Wall sind dislodge y ,Yliile the roof jack 99 is in anchored position Vzuid-the fluid pressure motors connected thereto are operating to move the tool holders GO sind 61 forward ercuately the root jack 10() should be moved forward 'to a new' position by ineens of the fluid pressure motorshave reciprocating' pistons the viiioveinentsV of' the letter muy be controlled by sots oil vulves similzirto those operated by the abovementioiied lever. To operate the motor the lever moved is oii'e t ii'ection or .the other to control the pressures on the piston from the supply pipe which is connected to themzinifold 145. r1 supply pipe .extends from 'the nioiiitoldto the valves operated'by e lever to7 ucontrol the motor.

The lever controls the motor by controlling the flow olf-fluid` pressure from e vpipe vwhich is also connected to themeniiold y145. Afv lever controls the fluid pressure motor. 82 byr controlling; Ithe pressure from the pipe which muy also be connected to the manifoldl 145. Each of theipipes connected to the manifold muy be provided With :i single insuiuil valve= those liii the pipes connected-to the anchoring roof jacks beingprovided with exhausts, es indicated at lOund 152.V

MThe manifold 145 is connected by a pipe 1T() throufrhesivivel joint 171 to the pipe 1?'2 which :is connected to the pump 173 connected to the motor `The swivel: joint 1.,A so thuttlie manifold 145 and ell-the pipes connected thereto may be moved bodily along` arcuate lines Whilethe pump 173 `is* being` operated bythe motor 33to maintain 'fluid pressure in the mzuiifold 145 'to operate the fluid pressure motorswhenever desired. l

It should be not-edthat when the fluid pressure motors connected to. the root anchoring -ifrclisere operatedto move the series of coal motors Will be moved arcuately on the axis of the `anchored root jziclrs but the collars 'willy lee i permit such movements of the fluid pressure.v

n motors relatively vto the roof acksgind such' arcuate movements relatively tothe tool holdersGOY and G1 Willbe permitted by reason of It should also be noted that while the strokes of the pistons relatively to the cylinders of the horizontal uid pressure motors connected to the roof jacks arc continuous from one end of each cylinder to the other end thereof during the normal operation of the walking roof jacks it is desirable to lock the pistons in the motors in adjusted position and this may be effected by movements of the levers to vertical positions where the passage will be cut off from any of the pipes to which the valves are connected. However, if the pistons are at the ends of the cylinders such locking may be effected by closing the valve 'adjacent the manifold 145.

As shown in Fig. 8, the receiving conveyer 57 may comprise an endless belt 175 mounted on rollers 176 and'177 and provided with lateral sprocket chains 178 and 179 for engagement by the sprockets 180 and 181 on the transverse shaft 182 connected to the gearing 188 operated by the motor 58. Preferably the endless belt 175 travels upwardly along a chute comprising the vertical side plates 185 and 186'and the bottom plate 187.

AThe conveyor frame is pivoted at 188 on a horizontal axis on the upper peripheral edge of the hopper 53 so that this receiving conveyor 57 may be moved up and down on the axis 188 independently of the frame 54 in Fig. 1'. The outer end of conveyor may rest on the floor and slide over the same or the vertical plate 189 connected to"the bottom of the conveyor frame at one side thereof may be relied upon to rest against the ring 55 as shown in the Fig. 6 to hold the conveyor spaced slightly from the floor at the mine wall. n

Extending across the front end of the conveyor isa scoop 190 provided with a pluralitgT of spaced-apart slots 191 to receive the l teetli 192 of the iigger plate 198 which is located at the floor at the base of the mine wall in position to move the dislodged material on to the conveyor belt 187 as shown in Fig. 6. rlhe horizontal floor plate 193 extends under the scoop 190 and is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 194 mounted on a bracket 195. A spring 196 is connected between the vertical plate 189 and the forward end of the arm 194 to continually urge the plate 198 forward to a position beyond the arcuate face of the mine wall. The conveyor is located ahead of the dislodping mechanism as shown in Fig. 1 and when the plate 193 engages iinniined material its forward movement will be stopped, but when the material is dislodged the plate will move under such dislodged material as shown in Fig. 6. However, the plate 193 may have the length of its extended portion varied so as to assure the movement of the dislodged material onto the conveyor 57.

In order to secure a comparatively slow movement of the plate 193 with the material meri-i thereon toward the conveyor there is provided an upwardly extending lever 197 at the rear end of the arm 194 in position to be engaged by the pin 198 extending laterally from the This gear 199 as shown in the Figs. 6 and 7` gear is operatively connected by the pinion 290 to the motor 201 which is mounted on the vertical plate 189. `When the pin 198 is rotated it engages the lever 197 to move the arm 194 and the plate 198 rearwardly against the action of the spring 196. The teeth 192 engaging the dislodged material will eect movement of the latter slowly toward the left as viewed in Fig. t.V After the pin 198 has been rotated clock-wise as viewed in Fig. 6 slightly more than 180 degrees the arm 194 will be released and the spring 196 will be free to act to suddenly move the plate 193 forward under any material at the base of the mine wall in the path of the plate.

After a complete semi-circular stroke of the dislodgng mechanism has been made from the position of the dotted lines shown inL Fig. 1 such dislodging mechanism may be quickly returned to initial position in readiness for another series of dislodging operations, after which the tractor mechanism may be operated to move the entire mining and loading machine to a new forward posi.- tion. To eifect this quick return movement a draft rope 220 is connected to the frame 54 as shown in Figs. 2 and 9 and wound on the drum 221 connected for operation to the motor 222.

lhen the material to be dislodged is comparatively soft so that fluid pressure motors such as hydraulic motors are not necessary to secure the requisite amount of force to operate the coal dislodging tools the rope winding mechanism illustrated in Fi 8 and 9 may be used to swing such tools arcuately to cause them to dislodge the material. In this event the walking roof jacks together with the other fluid pressure mechanism may be omitted and the roof acks 84 and 85 relied upon to hold the main frame 28 in stationarv position during the operation of the dislodging mechanism. The rope-winding mechanism illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 includes the ropeovinding drum 221, the motor 222 and the single rope 22() as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, for returning the dislodging mechanism to initial position, but the connections to secure dislodging operation of dislodging tools includes the plurality of ropes 223 connected to the side of the ring opnosite the point 224 to which the rope 220 is connected. By means of suitable reduction gearing between the motor 222 and the winding-drum 221 a slow but very powerful turning movement may be exerted on the ring 55 to move the frame 54 together with the dislodging tools mounted thereon arcuately along the mine wall to e'ect dislodgment of the material as illustrated in Fig. 1. Vhen VWard end of-said conveyer for drawing material to said conveyer, Yreleasable motor Y `driven means for causing said extensible device to move toward said conveyer, and resilient means for automatically extending said device out from said conveyer to gather a load when released from said motor driven means.

"7. In loading` apparatus, the combination with a conveyer, of a reciprocatory plate under the forward end thereof, a reciprocatory operating arm connected to said plate, a spring tending to move said plate out from the lower end of said conveyer, and a motor operated rotary actuating device for engaging said arm over a path of approximately to move said plate'toward saidl conveyer to deliver material on said plate to said conveyer, and then automatically releasing` said arm to permit said spring to move said plate out from the said conveyer to gather another load.

Signed at New York, county of New York,

and State of New York, this 22nd day of January, 1925.

OLIVE'EUGENIE MORGAN, Ewout/fa; of the Estate of Eclat/uml 0. Mov'- gcm, deceased. 

